Double Up Kilt Hose For Warmth

[Geoff Withnell]

...
Reporting back it worked like a charm - Even my knees stayed warm. Temps were 30 to 36 degrees F without the wind, worse in the wind.
...

Emphasis added.

But have you tried it in cold weather yet? lol

Geoff Withnell

[Sammac]

Do you stay dry on those trips? I'm thinking yes on account of the leather RKilt. I've run the Gauley in WV when it was cold out and I remember layering up with fleece over my wetsuit and a splash jacket over that, along with my paddle gloves and polartec socks on with sandals. My friends thought I was nuts since it was in the mid 30's. Like you said, the wind is cold but it makes the water feel warm and you get wet all day on the Gauley!

[Riverkilt]

Aye, nice and dry. Four baloney deals under a steel raft center. River is flat water - a few riffles at the most. When the guide runs the engine there's water in the bottom of the raft and spray from the river - nothing to worry about.

Course, when it rains it rains hard and everything gets wet - but the pay off is miles of waterfalls flowing into the canyon.

[seanachie]

I agree the soccer sox sold by SportKilt as "kilt hose" should be called what they are - soccer sox. .

I think that is a bit unfair, they are $8 each and buy 3 get 1 free. Look at the description they put up: Everybody need a couple pairs of taller socks if they plan on wearing a kilt out a few times a month Great for Highland Athletics, these are made from a blend of materials that breath and stretch for active feet. They are also tall enough to fold a nice 2" cuff at the top where you can attach your flashes(those things that poke out from under neath the cuff) It's not like they are representing themselves to be dress kilt socks, worsted wool or making false claims. The description meets the product. I am personally pretty happy with these hose for casual wear. I should note too, I have done some pretty vigorous activity with these hose and they don't slide down.

[xman]

The Monday before last we had a cold day and a blistering wind and I doubled up my hose that day. I did little good as the extra layer started to restrict circulation making my feet colder, not warmer. I think the best solution would be heavier hose.

[fluter]

The Monday before last we had a cold day and a blistering wind and I doubled up my hose that day. I did little good as the extra layer started to restrict circulation making my feet colder, not warmer. I think the best solution would be heavier hose.

You make an excellent point! However if the feet of the hose are thicker than your usual, you can get the same effect. That's why my winter outdoor boots are sized up a half size and a width from my dress shoes; so that I can double up, but give my feet room to breathe.

In cold conditions, maintaining circulation in the legs is also critical to keeping the feet warm. While walking, the knees generally don't do badly, as there's not much tissue there to be cold Plus working the leg muscles promotes circulation. Nice warm kilt hose will usually do the trick.

However if we have to stand around in the cold---and this applies with trousers as well---then the circulation tends to shut down, and our feet suffer almost immediately. Since my nighttime hobby is stargazing, I am intimately familiar with this process! I like two layers of long underwear, and tightly woven but loosely fitting troosers, when we pass the freezing point. Those of you who live where it actually gets cold are permitted to chuckle now but first just try standing still 3 or 4 hours at 30 degrees F.

[jhockin]

The Monday before last we had a cold day and a blistering wind and I doubled up my hose that day. I did little good as the extra layer started to restrict circulation making my feet colder, not warmer. I think the best solution would be heavier hose.

the previous day ( Sunday) it was -17 C, with the wind chill, out here in "the Valley", and the "Heritage Hose" from Freedom Kilts were lovely and warm - when my knees started getting bright red, I just rolled UP the tops, and they went up under the bottom of my kilt; these are nice heavy wool hose - well worth the $'s - I plan to get at least one more pair

[GaRebel211]

Its funny you mention doubling up on kilt hose. Last night, it was in the upper 20's here (which is mighty cold for a Georgia boy) anyway, I doubled up kilt hose, not expensive ones just to see how it would look/how warm they would be. I must say I was satisfied. Two colors of hose one folded lower with the inner folded on top. Looked pretty good, I wouldn't say great but effective none the less. Still doesn't replace some warm thick wool kilt hose, but for sure something else to add to the arsenal.